The Poor Among Us......Who Are They?

Updated on November 11, 2014

Tour Of Millionaires' Homes

Observations

While watching one of those programs about the Rich and Famous and how they live, I was appalled to say the least. This particular program was showcasing their homes.. The program was obviously filmed before 2009, I could tell this by a statement made by the narrator, concerning one of the homes being made ready by early 2009. However, it was filmed within the last few years. I'm setting up the timeline, because I feel it is germane to the subject. Well, anyway, this program was showcasing these homes, because of their size and worth.

Now, although, this program was filmed, a few years ago it's no less reprehensible. You see, our economy has been on a rapid downward spiral for sometime now, at least for the last five years. So even if the program was filmed a few years ago it is unconscionable that these people would flaunt their wealth at a time when the world was suffering to the extent that it was. Here are some figures to put this in perspective.

According to the UN, the 3 richest people on earth have more than the 48 poorest nations.

In the US, in the last 700 days, 6.5 million people have lost their jobs. And over 21% of children under 18 live below the poverty line.

So you tell me, where is the conscious thought or even the rationale, behind flaunting such ostentation. The program put the spotlight on a man from one of the poorest countries with over 1 billion people. The man was building an edifice over 400,000 square feet, a home, for his family. It was being built as a high rise, several stories high. It has four floors just for his over 160 automobiles. All the homes on this program were valued in the millions, with square footage ranging from around 20,000 square feet, and above.

Maybe, this was before the revelation of the newest Ponzi schemes. Maybe, this was before the gentleman had "made off" with billions of dollars of the rich and famous, (not saying he only "made off," with their money, because we know he "made off" with more, but for the sake of this article, I'm only referring to those ones here). So, maybe, the money was still flowing freely, maybe, maybe, maybe, whatever, the fact remains, the program was aired July, 2009, in the midst of the worst recession in history. It aired at a time when whole families are literally homeless, and in some cases, seemingly, hopeless. Some of those homes could easily house multiple families.

So They Say

Not just homeless

As the statistics has shown, being homeless is not the only problem. A person living on $2 dollars a day can't have enough to provide other basic necessities, such as food, clothing, medicine etc. Substandard living, not just homelessness, is also notable for someone living on that amount. Trying to raise a family, or just living day to day alone, on such a small amount can also leave emotional scars, that could last a lifetime. Not to mention the depths to which one could sink, trying to rise above the conditions in which they find themselves. The drug trade being one after effect of such abject poverty. So when the these people flaunt their wealth at a time like this, is to say the least, shameful.

Speaking to the newly made rich, "some of you came from near poverty levels yourselves, can you even remember those times? Can't you remember from whence you came? Why not reach back, and bring some others up with you. Why not look back to your home town, or home state and search out some of those homeless, or near poverty stricken residences and pay it forward. I'm not saying give away anything. You know the saying, "give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." So you see, most people would relish a job doing anything, moral, legal, or honestly to support their families, rather than a handout, a hand up would be in order here. Make jobs for them. After all, your riches came from just those people, trying to get some relief from their poverty stricken lives by paying to see you do what you do." (I'm just saying)!

The real poor

Who are the real poor among us? Let's examine this! What about some of the rich, looking at the homeless, and downtrodden, and offering nothing........ poor conscious. Spending all their wealth to impress others.....poor choice. Making a showy display of one's means of life......poor taste. Not remembering from whence they came, and where they can go back to.......poor sighted. So when talking about the poor, poor is not only defined by economics or living standards,other meanings for poor would be..... lacking quality, or value, Etymology: Middle English poure, from Anglo-French povre, pore, from Latin pauper; akin to Latin paucuslittle. So when considering those meanings, especially little, (too little, done to help),couldn't we say that some of the financially well to do among us, would be considered........POOR! The bible says, "we will always have the poor among us," and we might add, in more ways than one.

Conclusion

So I ask again, Who are the real poor among us? After examining the facts stated herein, you tell me.

Check these sites out

The Poor Get Poorer, And PoorerA few decades ago, songwriter Gus Kahn penned the phrase, "There's nothing surer, the rich get rich and the poor get poorer" as part of the lyrics of "Ain't We Got Fun." The phrase is now just another cliche, but like most cliches, has considerable b

Homeless Children: The Growing EpidemicThe typical image of a homeless person is a male in his mid 30s to late 60s living in abject poverty. You see him hanging out at soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and on street corners. His mobility...

Women have you suddenly found yourself alone, either by choice or through no fault of your own? If you've found yourself in this state and don't know just how to navigate your new status, well read on for a few tips on...

Comments 32 comments

someonewhoknows 7 years ago from south and west of canada,north of ohio

Some people consider themselves poor even if they have the basics of life,food,clothing a place to live and heat in winter if they live up north.That's all some people really need.Wanting more is reasonable only if circumstances warrant it.luxuries are the last thing many can afford right now.The rest are lucky to have what they have,others deserve what they have and still some who are just greedy and want more than their fair share.Like it says in the bible "Those have much will be given more ,while those who have little will lose even what they have."Are these America's famous last words or will we live to see better days ahead?

fastfreta 7 years ago from Southern California Author

Wise observation, always more ways to look at an issue. Thanks for the comment.

ladydijay 7 years ago

I sometime think of the plight of the rich. They might have the money, but they can't buy their way out of a lot of really important things. For an example they can't help who their family members are. Somebody is always out to get their money, It's hard for them to find real love. The same things that poor people go through. They can't even buy God. So when I start to feel sorry for myself, I thank God that we are equal in his eyes.

fastfreta 7 years ago from Southern California Author

I agree ladydijay, as I stated, there is more than one way to be poor.

suziecat7 7 years ago from Asheville, NC

Sometimes when I'm struggling to make ends meet, I feel poor. But I am really richer than those folks you speak of because I have love and happiness without the frills. Great Hub.

fastfreta 7 years ago from Southern California Author

My sentiments exactly suziecat. I feel really rich in comparison to the materially rich, when I take the opportunity to give back, or pay it forward.

bingskee 7 years ago from Quezon City, Philippines

riches cannot buy health and happiness.. how foolish that the rich think they do not need friends if they have money..

fastfreta 7 years ago from Southern California Author

I totally agree bingskee, thanks for stopping by!

DoodleLyn 7 years ago from Upstate New York, USA

Awesome hub, fastfreta. Very insightful. I wonder how actors/actresses, famous sport players, etc. warrant asking for more and more money when they already make millions, while their neighbors in their own state are starving and homeless! Thanks for sharing.

someonewhoknows 7 years ago from south and west of canada,north of ohio

If your healthy and happy your rich, right?

fastfreta 7 years ago from Southern California Author

Thanks DoodleLyn, I totally agree with you. Can you imagine the gall, as you indicated, to ask for more money, which necessitates the public paying more to see them do whatever it is that they do.

To someonewhoknows, I agree, and for the most part money can't buy those things.

Thanks franciaonline for your comment. No I haven't read the article, but I will go right away and read it. You are a true fan, thanks for stopping by again.

jqs2009 7 years ago

Who are the real poor people? Some of my acuaintances still insist on being poor, even though they can easily consume cosmetic product of $300 dollars, and that is something I couldn't afford, nor would ever spend the money in the same fashion. I think it's basically our self-worth. We can be rich and poor according to our psyche.

Influenced by the materialism, the so-called " affluents" have the irrational belief in investing in luxuries, while luxuries have become the norm of social status and wealth. Again, it has to do with people's self-esteem and self-worth, how do you regard yourself will be the question.

By the way, I am really enlightened when I read your articles.

fastfreta 7 years ago from Southern California Author

Thanks jqs2009, I knew I wasn't too far off the mark with this hub. Now with such wonderful response, I feel validated in writing this article.

FRANCES4ES 7 years ago from DC

Fastfreta, I agree with you and others. In a word, wealth can't give you everything. What good does it do to have it and not be happy and healthy? Not a lot! There's enough for us all, especially if greed is not the sole object of your existence. Thank you so much for this hub!

FRANCES4ES

fastfreta 7 years ago from Southern California Author

Thank you so much Frances4es for that comment. Thank you for stopping, come back again soon.

GrowWear 7 years ago

It's hard to imagine not giving back no matter how much or how little money I have; it's so much better to think and do for others -- that's where true happiness and true living lies.

fastfreta 7 years ago from Southern California Author

Thank you GrowWear for stopping by, please come back again soon. I agree with you about giving being better and more fulfilling.

Shalini Kagal 7 years ago from India

fastfreta - while I see the obvious chasm that you portray - the man in question is, I feel entitled to his whims because not only does he employ thousands, he's made so many more investors well off for life because he has managed his companies so well. I think we need the rich too in the scheme of things - however, a responsible rich should be the ideal thing to have!

fastfreta 7 years ago from Southern California Author

Thanks Shalini for a different prospective on this subject.

lisadpreston 6 years ago from Columbus, Ohio

This is a subject that is near and dear to me, as I stated in my hub Life lessons so far. I think we as a people need to reevaulate our value system. We place too much value on material "things" and not enough on spiritual principle. I am not impressed with peoples accumulation of toys. I am however, in awe when I see a beautiful, loving soul, which you, dear fastfreta have. "Things" will never replace the real wealth that so many are lacking in these modern times.

Thank you for talking about this issue.

fastfreta 6 years ago from Southern California Author

lisadpreston, it appears we think a lot alike, because from your comment on my hub about grandmothers, you mentioned that you wrote one similar. I can't wait to go over and read your hubs. Thank you so much for stopping. I know I'll see you soon.

masmasika 6 years ago

Great hub fastfreta. I really sympathize with the poor but this is life and we cannot be all the same. anyway, being poor but happy is better than being rich but unhappy. I am poor and I have seen people who are less fortunate than me yet i found in them the true happiness that people really need in this world. I think being rich and being poor isn't the issue of existence but the way people look at life and enjoy what they have and what they can afford.

fastfreta 6 years ago from Southern California Author

Very good masmasika, how insightful. I especially like the statement "I think being rich and being poor isn't the issue of existence but the way people look at life and enjoy what they have and what they can afford." I wish I'd said that. Thanks for stopping, please stop over again soon.

vietnamvet68 6 years ago from New York State

It makes me sick every day i read the news. They showcase the rich and their fancy homes, like i really care. I feel lucky just to have food on the table and a roof over my head. I don't need all the fancy things in life.This is a great hub

fastfreta 6 years ago from Southern California Author

Thank you vietnamvet68, I can totally sympathize with you, some of your sentiments are the same as mine also, especially during these times. Thanks for stopping,hope to see you again.

2besure 5 years ago from Charlotte, North Carolina

"the 3 richest people on earth have more than the 48 poorest nations" OMG! That makes me feel sick.

alphagirl 5 years ago from USA

Uh, greed and fame has caused the downfall of this country. How about that kardashian with the phoney wedding. WOW! Marriage vows are sacred and she used it to raise her profile, and fatten her wallet, but like everything else with greed it backfired on her. Truly wealthy people do not flaunt.

fastfreta 5 years ago from Southern California Author

Disgusting, huh, 2besure. But that is the state of the world today.

You're so right alphagirl, some of these people will do anything to retain their riches, and to garner fame. Too sad.

Thank you both for stopping, and taking the time to read and leave a comment,please stop again soon.

Wordsntone 4 years ago from Bridgeport, CT

Thanks for the survey and stats. This rich vs. poor is a complex issue mixed with all the baser and lower instincts and behaviors of humankind. When we pick on the rich having things we forget that those things are attached to people who are not rich having income for making the things, maintaining the things, or selling those things. While I understand this, i am also in agreement that there is a greed and divide between the economically vulnerable and the well off. You would think in an upward mobile society, those who make more would have an interest in making sure as many people possible are employed. Somehow there should be inventive beyond mere charity to invest in systems and programs that move people toward employment and at least self sufficient stability. Thanks for the essay.

fastfreta 4 years ago from Southern California Author

You know Wordsntone, I never looked at it that way, and you're so right, however there seems to be no foresight as far as the very rich are concerned. Meaning, as you seem to intimate, they can't see that by keeping the poor so poor they are ultimately hurting themselves. I'm kind of on the same page as you are, whenever someone complains about items not lasting as long as they can, I will usually remind them of the people that make, and service these items. As we know, charity doesn't work, it's just a band aid. Actually most of us poor people know what it takes to make the system equal, however the very rich doesn't agree, and will never make the needed changes. Thank you so much Wordsntone, for stopping and adding these very thought provoking words to my article.